Insect-destroyer.



n 0 w 7! 2 b e F d e t n an t a P N o T Y A D F 3 0 4 4 6 0 N -INSECT DESTROYER.

( Application filed Aug. 23, 1899.

(No Muslin.

1N: NORRKS PETERS cu, FHOTO-UTNO.. WASHINGTON. 04 c.

FRANK DAYTON, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

lNSECT-DESTROYER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 644,503, dated. February 2'7, 1900 Application filed August 23, 1899. Serial No. 728,230. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK DAYTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Insect- Killer, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to catching and killin g insectssuch as flies, mosquitos, and millers-while at rest on the wall or ceiling or other smooth surface; and the object of my invention is to rid buildings of allinsects which rest or roost on walls, ceilings, or other smooth surfaces without soiling the walls. I attain this object by means of a frame holding wirecloth in a plane pivoted to a pole-handle, so that it adjusts itself to the surface with which it is placed in contact. By means of the polehandle the operator raises the plane to the ceiling, wall, or other smooth surface where the insect is resting and catches and kills or entangles it. A feature in attaining this object is in the kind and character of cloth used. The cloth is composed of that size of wire and is of that size of mesh and is of that tension and spring on the frame which will not mash the insect and soil the wall, but will partly receive it and crush it sufl iciently to cause death.

For a more particular description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a sectional View of the catcher, showing the plane of wire-cloth in a horizontal, perpendicular, and angular'position and the span or support embracing a washer held in a slot in the pole-handle by a bolt around which it moves or is deflected; Fig. 2, the catcher with the plane in a horizontal and perpendicular position; Fig. 3, an end View of frame with the attached span or support; Fig. 4:, the washer, end and side view; Fig. 5, a View from below of frame, the plane of wirecloth, and the span or support; and Fig. 6 is a span or support in which the washer is not required.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The wire-cloth a, is tightly stretched over a rectangular frame g, so as to form a plane on one side-the upper side or the one which comes in contact with the surface. The edges of the cloth are turned over the frame 9 and securely fastened to the frame. To the longer sides of the rectangular frame 9 is attached on the under side of the plane a span or support 0, which, dropping down, embraces a washerd in a slot 8 in the end of a pole-handle e and held in position by a bolt f. The span or support 0, embracing the washer d in the slot 8 of the pole-handle c, with the bolt f, is a friction-hinge sufficiently tight to hold the plane in position, and yet allow it to ad just itself to the surface with which it comes in contact, as shown in Fig. 1 at g, h, and t'.

The span or support 0 in Fig. 6 is like the span or support in the other figures, except that instead of embracing the washer d it embraces the bolt f, the washer cl being dispensed with. The span or support 0 also serves as a brace for the longer sides of the rectangular frame, as shown in Fig. 5.

I am aware that prior to my invention other means have been employed by which insects have been caught and killed while at rest, and therefore do not claim that as my discovery.

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As a new article of manufacture, an in sect catching and killing device comprising in combination a frame, a wire-cloth facing therefor, firmly stretched over and fastened at its edges to the frame, a pole or handle, and a joint whereby the frame is attached to the pole, the articulation holding the frame in one position until readjusted, and, at the same time, allowing the frame to be readily adjusted to bring it flatly against the surface of the wall or ceiling; the wire-cloth facing being of suitable tension and size of mesh, the latter presenting numerous loops or openings formed by the interwoven strands, into which loops or openings the insect is squeezed, in operating with said device, and the insect thereby caught and killed, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, an insect catching and killing device comprising in combination a frame, a wire-cloth facing therefor, stretched over and fastened at its edges to the frame; arms spanning the under side of the frame; dependent perforated bearings at the center of such arms; the pole, and the bifurcated head therefor, in which the said bearings are received; and the bolt and nut for holding the articulation or joint to- In testimony whereof I hereunto alfix my gether; the wire-cloth facing being of suitable signature, in the presence of two Witnesses, on m tension and size of mesh, the latter presentthis the 17th day of August, 1899. ing numerous loops or openings formed by T ,1

5 the interwoven strands, into which loops or FHA} DAYI openings the insect is squeezed, in operating Vitnessesi with said device, and the insect caught and J. R. STODDARD, killed, substantially as set forth. J. F. BOOTHE. 

